Handmade

Recycled

Community Voted

Finger Strumming

Strum a few chords on the music lover's heartstrings with this hand-twisted ring. The artist, Christopher Stiles, sources the recycled, sometimes broken guitar strings from music stores and guitar shops around his California home, which he twists into attractive bows tipped with sterling silver-plated beads. The bow is held together with the "ball end" found on the end of the guitar strings. Handmade in California.

Handmade

Recycled

Community Voted

Item ID

20866

Made from

reclaimed steel,
sterling silver,
mixed metal,
guitar string

Measurements

Ring Sizes 6, 7, 8

Notes

Polish with a soft cloth.

the maker

Christopher Stiles

While studying abroad in England in his youth, Christopher Stiles noticed an art gallery selling hand-blown glass in the window. The experience compelled him to seek new ways to express his ideas through hand-formed objects.

Upon returning to the U.S., Stiles earned a Bachelor's degree in fine art,
with a focus in ceramics from California State University, Long Beach.
After graduation, he apprenticed with a master mold maker to further hone
his skills.

Stiles' attention to detail begins with the design. When he reflects upon something he's seen, he unravels the concept to its core, then turns it on its head. His goal is to examine those forms we take for granted and reduce them to their most rudimentary aspects. Stiles finishes each piece asking more questions than revealing answers - it's simply the nature of his work.

Stiles ponders the little things with big questions, mulling over thoughts like, "What does it mean to be a salt and pepper shaker - to simply season food?" His very real questions produce extraordinarily unique pieces that offer both form and function.

Stiles highlights the simplicities he sees in everyday objects to produce organic sculptures. Ultimately, his work connects us not just to an image or an object, but to one another through the things we touch, share and integrate into our lives.

Q and A

When our community voted on this product, some also shared comments - read them below:

561votes, 94 comments

JenniferVote: Thumbs up!

I LOVE THIS.

SenecaVote: Thumbs up!

Great!

CarrieVote: Thumbs down!

I love guitars. I hate this ring. Hideous. Sorry.

jenVote: Thumbs down!

I like the idea, but I think I'd be catching it on everything.

DeeVote: Thumbs up!

Cute idea! And, I love the fact that it's made in California. :)

deniseVote: Thumbs down!

looks like it would get in the way

SandiVote: Thumbs up!

It would be great if it were adjustable, too.

Beverly Vote: Thumbs down!

duh, it's a string

elenaVote: Thumbs up!

This is SO cool! The price is also fantastic! This would be a great addition to UncommonGoods.

KathyVote: Thumbs up!

All guitar playing guys have girlsthat want to identify with them!Great idea! good pricing!

LynnVote: Thumbs down!

Looks like a string to me...

CarolVote: Thumbs up!

I like it a lot, not sure if I would wear it but it makes a neat gift for those who play guitars - I love silver as well.

CoreyVote: Thumbs up!

LOVE IT! I can't wait till becomes available for purchase

Jessie from JerseyVote: Thumbs up!

This ring is super cute and very appropriately priced. I would absolutely purchase this, for myself and as gifts.

RachelVote: Thumbs down!

too small

Jennifer

I would buy 3 right NOW!

Linda

I can't imagine wanting this unless one is a guitar player, which most people aren't. I can't imagine who else it would appeal to.

MichelleVote: Thumbs up!

Just love it and it's price range fits my budget perfectly!

SarahVote: Thumbs up!

Clever idea! I have several guitar playing friends who would love it.

AmandaVote: Thumbs up!

I think it is very creative. There are so many musicians out there. I'm not, but my boyfriend is and wearing this ring would be meaningful and cute.

LisaVote: Thumbs up!

It's a GREAT accessory at a GREAT price point and would be wonderful to wear here in New Orleans, where music is so part of the lifeblood of this city and culture.

HeatherVote: Thumbs down!

Kinda like it, but I think it has a very limited projected buyer. I would only buy it if I was musical, and am not.

LoVote: Thumbs up!

Love this, so cute and so original!

EmilyVote: Thumbs up!

What a unique look for such a great price!

cheryl

my daughter just started playing guitar i'd buy it for her birthday it's different

GretchenVote: Thumbs down!

maybe would be good for a teenager

bogiejrVote: Thumbs up!

'uncommongoods' NEVER disappoints! another creatively unique find!

amberVote: Thumbs up!

I love it!!! very cute and local artist very cool.

CujoVote: Thumbs up!

so cute!

MelissaVote: Thumbs up!

I definitely like the concept of this ring. I wish it came in bigger sizes though. My ring finger is a size 9, and I think this ring looks great on the middle finger, as shown in the picture.

ErinVote: Thumbs up!

cute, unique. I like it.

CarolynVote: Thumbs down!

Just comes too small.....create larger and it's mine!

KristyVote: Thumbs up!

I like it small...very cute and intriguing

Elizabeth

This would only be appropriate for a teenage female, too limited for broad appeal.

PatriciaVote: Thumbs down!

would get caught on alot of things;ugly;to expensive

Celeste Vote: Thumbs up!

love it.......and music lovers will love it also!

BeckyVote: Thumbs down!

I would be caught on most anything I work with

SusanVote: Thumbs down!

not very attractive

Carolyn

Really cute

MargieVote: Thumbs down!

Doesn't look comfortable.

TeakVote: Thumbs up!

and this is the coolest ring Evers!

AmberVote: Thumbs up!

cool and different...I'm sure everyone who wears it will get lots of compliments :)

ValerieVote: Thumbs up!

This is such an interesting piece and a great suggested price!!

KaitlinVote: Thumbs down!

It looks cheap and I think it would pinch my finger?

TammyVote: Thumbs up!

My daughter who is just learning to play guitar would LOVE this!!!

DanielleVote: Thumbs up!

I think it's so cute! And the price is great!! Love that it comes in a 6!

GingerVote: Thumbs down!

With the work I do, the loops of the bow would catch on things and be dangerous for me to wear.

katelynVote: Thumbs up!

cute way to integrate music and jewelry.

Donna

It looks fine and price is right but I don't have anything to do with guitars so I wouldn't be interested

Cynthia

Priced too high otherwise I would purchase 2 of them.

Sonia Vote: Thumbs up!

Totally rockin! Love it!

MarilynVote: Thumbs up!

Love it! Music lovers would like it and it's actually cute and a good price.

sandy

I love it and will buy one if you decide to seel them.

TiffanyVote: Thumbs up!

I love it and as a guitar player i think it is an awsome way to use old strings

doreenVote: Thumbs up!

i would wear this ring every day! it's such a lovely design that can also be considered hard core. I like that it's a subtle nod for those who will recognize that it's a guitar string.

AlyssaVote: Thumbs up!

i like that this ring is both cute and well priced!

AmandaVote: Thumbs up!

unique and cute ring, I would buy it!

ChristyVote: Thumbs up!

Great price! Unique! Made in the USA! Can't go wrong :-)

Anne-MarieVote: Thumbs up!

A little pricey. I would pay $10 - $12 tops

KarenVote: Thumbs up!

Great thunb ring!

KarenVote: Thumbs up!

great!

residentgeekVote: Thumbs down!

try to button a sweater with this on.. snags... i think its a lame idea

DeborahVote: Thumbs down!

it would be cheaper for me to buy guitar strings and make it myself. And it's hard to say that these days!

MarcusVote: Thumbs down!

I really like the idea, but I think it's needs to be redesigned.

Elizabeth Vote: Thumbs up!

I really like this, but it does not come in my size so I would not get it for myself

BilleeVote: Thumbs down!

It's a cute idea, but the design is too prissy. Needs more style.

ReneeVote: Thumbs up!

I truly love this ring

DianeVote: Thumbs up!

I have a daughter who plays guitar. This would be perfect for her! And I like the comment below that girlfriends of guys who play would like the connection as well. I think anyone musical would really love it - Including me!

ValerieVote: Thumbs up!

Awesome!!!

SherryVote: Thumbs down!

Loops would get caught on EVERYTHING!

MariVote: Thumbs down!

It looks cheap and tacky to me.

Susan Vote: Thumbs down!

Stupid and ugly

maryVote: Thumbs up!

guitar string with pull any hairs on a wearers finger...

jtVote: Thumbs up!

love it! would definitely buy this for gifts!

MariVote: Thumbs up!

LOVE! I want it!

Susan M.Vote: Thumbs up!

Love this ring!, Its cute and dainty. Want!!!! Great design and doesn't get caught while buttoning sweaters.

Peter

These are gorgeous, and such a great idea -- as a musician and a music lover, I'd love to give these to all the women in my family for X-mas!

JenniferVote: Thumbs down!

Seems like it would snag on things and be annoying.

CatherineVote: Thumbs down!

LOVE the idea, but NOT the 'bow'. Recreate this ring WITHOUT the boy and the ring would be a much greater sell - for men and women.

margo

I saw these at the NYC gift show they are really cute!!

StephenVote: Thumbs up!

I'm sure these rings are being made in several different designs, wonderful!

TVote: Thumbs up!

Love this. very nice looking on my finger. The balls on the ends do not catch on anything. I think alot of people would love this, it is recycled and a great looking bow ring

P

I have been playing guitar for years and have always wanted something to give my wife that would represent my musical craft. FOUND IT with this product!

SpeleVote: Thumbs up!

This is great and unique way of letting everyone know what your interests are. Other guitar enthusiasts will know right off the bat that you play too. I like this a lot.

judithVote: Thumbs down!

There's a non-profit music association that makes these already. I'm not a fan of the design, but I'd much rather give to a non-profit for it

AlyssaVote: Thumbs up!

larger ring sizes would be nice

Lisa

What a great idea! And I love that the artist uses 'recycled' strings. =^..^=

Robert

This is way cool!

SarahVote: Thumbs up!

Not for me, but I can definitely see its appeal. It would be a good addition to UncommonGoods!

DanaVote: Thumbs up!

I love this!! There should be more sizes though. I'm a size 5. :o(

SusanVote: Thumbs up!

I have this ring, I wear it all the time, and I LOVE IT!!! I get compliments on it daily. People always think it it so unique. When they find out that it's made from a recycled guitar string they find it even more desireable.

KatVote: Thumbs down!

This style is not attractive to me at all. I'd probably get stuff caught in it. Good price, though.

PrincessVote: Thumbs up!

Love it! So unique - would definitely buy these as gifts or for myself.

rosalie

As a female picker, I think it would be nice to try and sell them at my gigs to fans. Very feminine and I bet girls would like it if their guitar boyfriends bought them one, that would be sweet!

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